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Croatia take top spot

Friday 3 June 2011 21:35, UK

Image: Kalinic: Scored Croatia's winner

Two goals in as many minutes saw Croatia see off the challenge of Georgia and take top spot inGroup F.

Quick-fire goals from Mandzukic and Kalinic sink Georgia

Two goals in as many minutes saw Croatia come from behind to see off the challenge of Georgia and take top spot in Euro 2012 qualifying Group F. The home side had trailed to Jaba Kankava's goal for much of the contest and hit the woodwork three times, but Mario Mandzukic and Blackburn's Nikola Kalinic eventually found the target in a frantic second-half spell. The win takes Croatia two points clear at the top of the group, although they will be overtaken by Greece on Saturday if their rivals beat Malta. Georgia were 1-0 winners when the two teams met in the reverse fixture in March and breached Croatia's defence again in Split after 17 minutes of play. Alexander Iashvili pumped a cross into the area and Kankava was perfectly placed to head the ball into the bottom right corner from close range. Croatia responded with persistent pressure and they were finally paid off after 76 minutes when Tomislav Dujmovic whipped in a cross which Mandzukic smashed into the bottom left corner from six yards out. The visitors had barely registered that goal when they found themselves conceding again with Kalinic providing the finish to a cross into the box from Eduardo.

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